politicsNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94politicsTue, 12 Dec 2017 23:25:54 +0000politicshttp://wkyufm.org
Ryland BartonAs a sexual harassment scandal continues to unfurl in the state legislature, two Republican lawmakers have filed a bill that would create a tip line to report wrongdoing and another wants to remove the accused former House Speaker from office. Former House Speaker Jeff Hoover, a Republican from Jamestown, stepped down from his leadership position last month amid revelations that he and three other Republican lawmakers secretly settled a sexual harassment complaint made by a staffer.New Bills Target Statehouse Harassment, Former Speaker Hooverhttp://wkyufm.org/post/new-bills-target-statehouse-harassment-former-speaker-hoover
102095 as http://wkyufm.orgThu, 07 Dec 2017 13:41:15 +0000New Bills Target Statehouse Harassment, Former Speaker HooverKyeland JacksonState legislators say a special session to discuss Kentucky’s ailing pension system probably won’t happen this year. Gov. Matt Bevin suggested a special session to address the state’s pension in November. It’s currently one of the most underfunded systems in the nation. But during a Kentucky Public Radio News Special Tuesday evening, Democratic State Senator Morgan McGarvey said a special session now would waste taxpayer dollars.Special Session To Fix Kentucky Pensions Unlikely, State Lawmakers Sayhttp://wkyufm.org/post/special-session-fix-kentucky-pensions-unlikely-state-lawmakers-say
102038 as http://wkyufm.orgWed, 06 Dec 2017 13:54:50 +0000Special Session To Fix Kentucky Pensions Unlikely, State Lawmakers SayAssociated PressThe mayor of Kentucky's second-largest city is running for Congress. Jim Gray announced Tuesday he will seek the Democratic nomination in Kentucky's 6th Congressional District. Republican Andy Barr has held the seat since 2013. Gray will face at least three other people for the Democratic nomination: former fighter pilot Amy McGrath, state Sen. Reggie Thomas and Geoff Young, who has run for the seat twice before. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray Running for Congress http://wkyufm.org/post/lexington-mayor-jim-gray-running-congress
101995 as http://wkyufm.orgTue, 05 Dec 2017 17:33:54 +0000 Lexington Mayor Jim Gray Running for Congress Miles ParksIf the saga of Michael Flynn feels like it's been hanging over President Trump's head since Inauguration Day, that's because it has. The story of how Trump's first national security adviser came to plead guilty to lying to FBI investigators and cooperate in the special counsel's Russia investigation spans two presidential terms and also touches government officials who were subsequently fired by Trump. Here are 10 key events that explain why Flynn was legally vulnerable in special counsel Robert Mueller's probe and why his plea deal addresses one of the central questions in the wider Russia imbroglio. 1. President Obama sanctions Russia On Dec. 28, 2016, then-President Barack Obama ejects 35 Russian diplomats from the United States and introduces new sanctions against a number of Russian security services and individuals. The move is retribution for Russia's interference in the 2016 election, detailed in the unclassified summary of a highly classified report by the intelligenceThe 10 Events You Need To Know To Understand The Michael Flynn Storyhttp://wkyufm.org/post/10-events-you-need-know-understand-michael-flynn-story
101974 as http://wkyufm.orgTue, 05 Dec 2017 10:00:00 +0000The 10 Events You Need To Know To Understand The Michael Flynn StoryAdam Beam of Associated PressKentucky’s Republican governor asked his party on Saturday to call for the resignation of four GOP lawmakers who signed a secret sexual harassment settlement, but party leaders rejected it in a move the governor said “speaks to the fact that we’ve got real problems.” The Republican Party of Kentucky’s Central Committee held its regular meeting on Saturday. Party Chairman Mac Brown introduced a resolution that condemned “proven sexual harassment in any form committed by any public servant in the state of Kentucky.”Kentucky GOP Rejects Governor’s Call For Resignationshttp://wkyufm.org/post/kentucky-gop-rejects-governor-s-call-resignations
101930 as http://wkyufm.orgMon, 04 Dec 2017 13:13:22 +0000Kentucky GOP Rejects Governor’s Call For ResignationsErica PetersonLess than 12 hours after the Republican-led Senate passed its version of tax overhaul legislation, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was back in his hometown addressing the press. McConnell held a brief press conference at the Galt House in Louisville Saturday afternoon, during which he rebuffed criticism that the bill favors the wealthy.Hours After Vote, McConnell Defends Senate Tax Bill In Louisvillehttp://wkyufm.org/post/hours-after-vote-mcconnell-defends-senate-tax-bill-louisville
101931 as http://wkyufm.orgSun, 03 Dec 2017 13:15:36 +0000Hours After Vote, McConnell Defends Senate Tax Bill In LouisvilleeditorHaving failed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, Congress is now working on a tax overhaul. But it turns out the tax bills in the House and Senate also aim to reshape health care. Here are five ways the tax legislation could change health policy: 1. Repeal the requirement for most people to have health insurance or pay a tax penalty Republicans tried and failed to end the so-called individual mandate this year when they attempted to advance their health overhaul legislation. Now the idea is back, at least in the Senate's version of the tax bill. The measure would not technically remove the requirement for people to have insurance, but it would eliminate the fine that people would face if they choose to remain uninsured. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that dropping the requirement would result in 13 million fewer people having insurance over 10 years. It also estimates that premiums would rise 10 percent more per year than they would without this change. That5 Ways Congressional Tax Legislation Would Transform Health Care http://wkyufm.org/post/5-ways-congressional-tax-legislation-would-transform-health-care
101831 as http://wkyufm.orgFri, 01 Dec 2017 10:00:00 +00005 Ways Congressional Tax Legislation Would Transform Health Care Ryland BartonU.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders will be in Louisville on Friday to rally opposition to the Republican tax plan currently making its way through Congress. It’s the second time this year the Vermont senator has waded into the Republican-controlled waters of the bluegrass as he tries to put pressure on the state’s two influential senators — Rand Paul and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.As Senate Nears Tax Deal, Bernie Sanders To Rally Opposition In Kentuckyhttp://wkyufm.org/post/senate-nears-tax-deal-bernie-sanders-rally-opposition-kentucky
101809 as http://wkyufm.orgThu, 30 Nov 2017 21:13:17 +0000As Senate Nears Tax Deal, Bernie Sanders To Rally Opposition In KentuckyJim ZarroliRepublicans lawmakers are considering a federal budget "trigger" that would raise taxes if proposed tax cuts don't deliver the economic growth they have promised. But the proposal is generating a lot of pushback from critics, especially conservatives. The so-called trigger mechanism would be a legislative provision to rescind corporate tax cuts by as much as $350 billion if revenue targets are not met, Bloomberg News reports . Congressional Republicans have said they expect the tax cuts to unleash a wave of economic growth, which will boost tax revenues and keep the budget deficit from increasing. The trigger would kick in if that doesn't happen as promised. While few details have been released, the aim would be "to try to create a backstop or a trigger mechanism that to the extent that growth estimates that have been laid out aren't achieved, we don't pass on even greater debt to our children," Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., told Fox News on Tuesday. But the idea is opposed by manyA Revenue 'Trigger' Would Shoot Down Tax Cuts If Economy Doesn't Grow As Expectedhttp://wkyufm.org/post/revenue-trigger-would-shoot-down-tax-cuts-if-economy-doesnt-grow-expected
101773 as http://wkyufm.orgWed, 29 Nov 2017 22:42:00 +0000A Revenue 'Trigger' Would Shoot Down Tax Cuts If Economy Doesn't Grow As ExpectedDomenico MontanaroSexual assault allegations against Roy Moore have reverberated from Alabama to Washington, D.C. Many Republican leaders have pulled their support from Moore. They include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, the head of National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is in charge of electing GOP senators. McConnell, trying to save every seat possible in an already too-narrow-for-comfort majority, is gaming out scenarios to try to hold the seat long in GOP hands as Moore faces off against Democrat Doug Jones in a Dec. 12 special election. But, speaking Friday, Kay Ivey, Alabama's Republican governor, said she saw no reason why the election should not proceed as planned next month. And she holds many of the cards in the Moore saga. She set the election date, and in a number of scenarios, she has some discretion to appoint someone else temporarily (Luther Strange had been appointed by her predecessor) or11 Scenarios For How The Roy Moore Saga Could Play Outhttp://wkyufm.org/post/11-scenarios-how-roy-moore-saga-could-play-out
101346 as http://wkyufm.orgSat, 18 Nov 2017 14:30:00 +000011 Scenarios For How The Roy Moore Saga Could Play OutLisa AutryThe new leader of the Kentucky Democratic Party says the “Republican experiment” has failed. In an interview with WKU Public Radio, Chairman Ben Self accuses the GOP of waging a war on the middle class by creating right-to-work and prevailing wage laws. He also thinks sexual harassment allegations looming over Republicans and a pension proposal rejected by many public employees jeopardizes some House GOP members in next year’s elections. Republicans gained control of the Kentucky House last year for the first time since 1921, but Self believes Democrats have a real opportunity to take back the chamber.New Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Says GOP is Vulnerable in 2018 Electionshttp://wkyufm.org/post/new-kentucky-democratic-party-chairman-says-gop-vulnerable-2018-elections
101264 as http://wkyufm.orgThu, 16 Nov 2017 15:47:35 +0000New Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Says GOP is Vulnerable in 2018 ElectionsAssociated PressRepublican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said Monday he is returning to Washington following an attack in his yard that left him with six broken ribs. "While I'm still in a good deal of pain, I will be returning to work in the Senate today, ready to fight for liberty and help move forward with tax cuts in the coming days and weeks," Paul posted on his Twitter account .Sen. Rand Paul Returns to Washington Following Assaulthttp://wkyufm.org/post/sen-rand-paul-returns-washington-following-assault
101124 as http://wkyufm.orgMon, 13 Nov 2017 18:03:44 +0000Sen. Rand Paul Returns to Washington Following AssaultMatt MarkgrafThe Kentucky Democratic Party has named a new chair. The KDP State Central Executive Committee elected Ben Self to the position on Saturday. The Pike County native and Lexington resident is co-founder of West Sixth Brewing and the 'Bread Box' - a mixed-use development in which the brewery is located. Self began his political work as an activist for the Democratic Party during former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's presidential campaign in the 2004 election. He then co-founded the progressive tech firm Blue State Digital with other former Dean staffers and later served as Technology Director of the Democratic National Committee.Kentucky Democratic Party Elects Lexington Entrepreneur Ben Self as Chair http://wkyufm.org/post/kentucky-democratic-party-elects-lexington-entrepreneur-ben-self-chair
101113 as http://wkyufm.orgSun, 12 Nov 2017 22:17:52 +0000Kentucky Democratic Party Elects Lexington Entrepreneur Ben Self as Chair Associated PressKentucky Representative Brian Linder has confirmed that he is among four Republican lawmakers who signed a settlement with a female House Republican Caucus staffer over sexual harassment allegations. Linder, of Dry Ridge, told the Grant County News that he wanted to publicly apologize to his family, voters and the state for his actions. He said he has been focused on his family since the confidential settlement became public.Report: Linder Confirms He Signed Harassment Settlementhttp://wkyufm.org/post/report-linder-confirms-he-signed-harassment-settlement
100991 as http://wkyufm.orgThu, 09 Nov 2017 12:19:59 +0000Report: Linder Confirms He Signed Harassment SettlementAssociated PressThe Kentucky attorney general's office says the state House of Representatives violated the Open Meetings Act by holding a private meeting to discuss the state's pension systems. The Bluegrass Institute Center for Open Government filed an open-meetings complaint in response to House members holding a closed-to-the-public meeting in August to discuss a state-funded analysis of the public retirement systems.Attorney General: Kentucky House Violated Open Meetings Acthttp://wkyufm.org/post/attorney-general-kentucky-house-violated-open-meetings-act
100845 as http://wkyufm.orgMon, 06 Nov 2017 17:42:48 +0000Attorney General: Kentucky House Violated Open Meetings ActErica PetersonKentucky House Speaker Jeff Hoover says he’ll step down from his leadership position after reports surfaced saying he settled a sexual harassment lawsuit earlier this year. In a statement to the media on Sunday, Hoover said he had acted inappropriately, engaging in consensual “banter.” “But as inappropriate as those text messages were, I want to reiterate that at no time, at no time, did I engage in unwelcome conduct of any kind,” he said. “And at no time were there ever any sexual relations of any kind. There has never been a culture of sexual harassment, as some opportunist would now wrongly claim for their personal political gain.”Hoover To Step Down As Kentucky House Speaker After Harassment Allegationshttp://wkyufm.org/post/hoover-step-down-kentucky-house-speaker-after-harassment-allegations
100810 as http://wkyufm.orgSun, 05 Nov 2017 21:26:17 +0000Hoover To Step Down As Kentucky House Speaker After Harassment AllegationsMaggie PenmanUpdated at 8:31 p.m. ET In the weeks since allegations of sexual harassment and assault against movie producer Harvey Weinstein became public , a number of other stories of abuse have come to light: in Hollywood, in newsrooms ( including NPR's ), and now, in statehouses across the country. At a news conference Saturday , Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin called for the resignation of any lawmakers or government employees who have settled sexual harassment claims. The Republican governor didn't name names, but the news conference comes just days after reports that House Speaker Jeff Hoover, R-Ky., settled a complaint with a female staffer out of court . "There have been any number of allegations in recent days that would indicate that certain individuals have been anything but faithful and true," Gov. Bevin said. "These allegations have not been denied by anyone. These allegations are increasingly becoming corroborated." The message was reiterated on the governor's Twitter page. "These areSexual Harassment Scandals Abound In Statehouses Across The U.S.http://wkyufm.org/post/sexual-harassment-scandals-abound-statehouses-across-us
100809 as http://wkyufm.orgSun, 05 Nov 2017 20:15:00 +0000Sexual Harassment Scandals Abound In Statehouses Across The U.S.Philip EwingLast week in the Russia investigations: Mueller removes all doubt, the imbroglio apparently costs a man a government job and lots of talk — but no silver bullet — on digital interference. Mueller time How many more thunderbolts has Zeus in his quiver? Where might the next one strike? Who does the angry lightning-hurler have in his sights — and who will be spared? Life is different now for denizens of the National Capital Region (aka Washington, D.C., to those who live beyond the Beltway). A car backfires on the street outside — is that more indictments? Three people show up for a reservation for four at BLT Steak — more charges? Justice Department special counsel Robert Mueller has removed all doubt that he intends to bring criminal charges in the Russia probe. On Monday, Oct. 30, the feds announced cases against three: Paul Manafort, Donald Trump's former campaign chairman; Rick Gates, Manafort's business partner; and George Papadopoulos, a young foreign policy adviser to the TrumpThe Russia Investigations: D.C. Braces For More From Mueller; Ripple Effects Widenhttp://wkyufm.org/post/russia-investigations-dc-braces-more-mueller-ripple-effects-widen
100803 as http://wkyufm.orgSun, 05 Nov 2017 12:00:00 +0000The Russia Investigations: D.C. Braces For More From Mueller; Ripple Effects WidenRyland BartonAs Kentucky lawmakers consider moving most future and thousands of current workers into 401(k)-style retirement plans, the commonwealth can look to a few other states that have had to address pension issues in the wake of the recession. Many states have enacted changes that shift more of the burden of public retirement programs onto employees, require increased employee contributions and tweak benefits.Pensions Aren’t Just A Kentucky Problem. Here’s What Other States Have Donehttp://wkyufm.org/post/pensions-aren-t-just-kentucky-problem-here-s-what-other-states-have-done
100683 as http://wkyufm.orgThu, 02 Nov 2017 20:00:00 +0000Pensions Aren’t Just A Kentucky Problem. Here’s What Other States Have DoneRyland BartonHundreds of state employees and retirees rallied on the steps of the State Capitol Wednesday night, protesting Gov. Matt Bevin’s proposed changes to the state’s troubled pension plans. The governor’s proposal would move most future state workers and thousands of current ones away from defined benefit plans and onto less-generous 401(k)-style plans. State workers who reach 27 years of service would have their benefits capped and be forced to transition to the new plans.Hundreds Of State Workers Rally Against Bevin’s Pension Planhttp://wkyufm.org/post/hundreds-state-workers-rally-against-bevin-s-pension-plan
100682 as http://wkyufm.orgThu, 02 Nov 2017 11:26:35 +0000Hundreds Of State Workers Rally Against Bevin’s Pension Plan